Hamim Sudarsono i, Rosma Hasibuan i, dan Damayanti Buchod ABSTRACT

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2 24 J. HPT Tropika. ISSN Vol. 5, No.1: 24-31, Maret 2005 BIOLOGI DAN TRANSFORMASI BELALANG KEMBARA LOCUSTA MIGRATORIA MANILENSIS MEYEN (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) PADA BEBERAPA TINGKAT KEPADATANPOPULASIDILABORATORIUM Hamim Sudarsono i, Rosma Hasibuan i, dan Damayanti Buchod ABSTRACT Biology alld Tralls/ormatioll o/the Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyell (Ort//Optera: Acrididae) at Several Laboratory Populatioll Dellsity Levels. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is one of insect pests in Indonesia that undergoes a unique polymorphic biology. The locust develops a transformation phase which is triggered mainly by high population density. Its recent outbreaks in several regions of Indonesia cause major concern and control strategies must be developed to strengthen control efforts in the future. Its unique polymorphic phenomenon, therefore, must be investigated thoroughly for the basis of management of the outbreak. Due to its agility and its long range flying ability, the most reajistic technique to study behavioral and morphological change of the locust is in controlled condition at 3 laboratory or a green house facility. The experiment was aimed to study effects of colony densities on the biology and transformation process of the migratory locust. More specifically, the experiment was to study effects of population density on the feeding activity, mortality rate, and the ratio of FIC and ElF of the migratory locust L. migratoria manilensis. The population densities were simulated in colonies at 2, 5, 10, 20, dan 30 couples per cage (cage size: 45x45x90 cm) reared in a green house. Results of the experiment show that, in general, higher densities of the migratory locust colonies tended to feed more rigorously than those of the less dense colonies. The locust remained in solitary phase at the density of 2-5 couples per cage whereas the tiansient phase occured at the density of couples per cage. The colonies transformed to gregarious stage when their densities were 30 couples per cage or higher. Mortality percentage tended to be higher at colonies with higher density, especially for the third ins tar of the migratory locust. Key words: gregarious, Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen, population density, solitar, transformation, transient PENDAHULUAN Serangan hama belalang kembara Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen (Orthoptera: Acrididae) merupakan fenomena yang mengejutkan banyak kalangan selama beberapa tahun terakhir di Indonesia, terutama sejak terjadinya eksplosi populasi hama ini pada tahun Areal pertanian di beberapa wilayah di Indonesia mengalami serangan ham a belalang kembara dengan tingkat kerusakan yang cukup parah. Provinsi Lampung dan Sumatera Bagian Selatan termasuk wilayah yang paling parah mengalami eksplosi populasi hama belalang ini. Selama bulan April hingga Mei 1998, ribuan hektar areal pertanian yang dilewati gerombolan belalang mengalami kerusakan total. Ribuan hektar tanaman padi menjelang panen dan tanaman jagung yang sedang berbunga hancur dalam waktu satu malam oleh hama yang sangat rakus ini (Kompas, 4 Mei 1998). Sejak ledakan populasi yang pertama tersebut, selanjutnya populasi besar beialang kembara sering terjadi di Sumbagsel dan di daerah-daerah lain seperti Nusa Tenggara Timur, dan Kalimantan Barat. Diduga di daerah-daerah terse but telah terdapat sentra-sentra populasi belalang kembara. yang setiap saat bisa menjadi wabah apabila faktor alam mendukung. I Dosen Jurusan Proteksi Tanaman, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Lampung; penulis untuk korespondensi. 2 Dosen Depa~~men Proteksi Tanaman, Fakultas Pertanian, Institut Pertanian Bogar

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